Backpacking Light Podcast

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The Backpacking Light Podcast explores the technology, gear, skills, and philosophy of backcountry wilderness travel through stories, interviews, and investigative reports.

Backpackinglight.com


    • May 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 126 EPISODES

    4.8 from 231 ratings Listeners of Backpacking Light Podcast that love the show mention: bpl, backpacking podcast, backpackers, ryan does a great, trail, gear, outdoors, learned a lot, expert, trip, thoughtful, informed, general, discussions, depth, approach, future, series, keep up the great work, level.


    Ivy Insights

    The Backpacking Light Podcast is truly a gem in the world of backpacking and outdoor podcasts. With a wealth of long-term experience and research behind each episode, the hosts provide sound and safe advice that is much more legitimate than what you find on YouTube channels from thru-hikers who lack comprehensive knowledge. One of the best aspects of this podcast is the unbiased information it provides to help listeners make their own decisions about backpacking gear and techniques, including clothing/layer systems. The hosts also do a great job of bringing on guests who reflect on their outdoor experiences, providing valuable insights and perspectives.

    One of the worst aspects, if any, could be that the episodes can sometimes get very technical and detailed. While this may be appreciated by some listeners who are very interested in that level of detail, others may find it overwhelming or unnecessary. However, this is a minor drawback considering the overall quality of the content.

    In conclusion, The Backpacking Light Podcast is an incredibly important resource for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts. The expertise shared by the hosts is worth its weight in gold, as they provide thoughtful and intelligent discussions based on both reality and science. Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or just starting out, this podcast will undoubtedly enhance your knowledge and skills in the wilderness. It's well worth subscribing to and becoming part of the Backpacking Light community.



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    Latest episodes from Backpacking Light Podcast

    Episode 125 | How to Plan a Long Thru-Hike

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 44:27


    Many hikers dream of completing a long thru-hike, but face physical, mental, and logistical challenges that often lead to burnout, injury, or quitting. It's easy to fall into the trap of overexertion, gear failures, poor nutrition, and mental fatigue. In this episode, Nikki Stavile shares thru-hiking strategies to help you prepare mentally, train physically, manage your gear and nutrition, and stay emotionally resilient - so you can hike smarter, happier, and healthier. To view the show notes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    Episode 124 | Fastpacking Pack Design with Black Diamond

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 47:28


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, host Ryan Jordan speaks with Black Diamond athlete Joe Grant and product designer Derick Noffsinger about the conception, design process, and field testing behind Black Diamond's fastpacking-oriented pack systems—including the Distance and Beta Light models. The discussion covers the challenges of designing hybrid load-carrying systems that merge the comfort and mobility of running vests with the load-bearing capacity of traditional backpacks. Joe provides context from real-world testing, including an 11-day, 400-mile fastpacking loop through the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, while Derick explains the rationale behind material choices like Challenge Ultra fabrics and the progression from early prototypes to commercial models. Additional topics include pack fit, load distribution, scaling harness design across different volumes, and how specific design elements—such as ice axe attachments and pack tapering—optimize performance for scrambling, climbing, and off-trail travel. The episode concludes with insights into ongoing refinement strategies and how incremental improvements in gear design support more efficient and confident movement in technical environments. To view the shownote for this epsiode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    Episode 123 | The 5 Fs of Fastpacking

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 47:15


    Learn how to fastpack smarter and lighter - Ryan Jordan breaks down the "Five F's of Fastpacking"—Focus, Fitness, Fuel, Footwear, and Fast & Light Gear—and shares performance-based strategies for moving efficiently with minimal gear over long distances. Includes gear recommendations, training insights, and exclusive content for Unlimited Members. To view the show notes for this episode of the podcast, click here.

    Podcast 122 | Unconventional Sleep Systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 32:15


    Today's episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast is sponsored by Outdoor Vitals StormLoft Down Topquilt, featuring ExpeDry gold-treated water-resistant down. This quilt dries faster than traditional DWR-treated down, keeping you warm even in damp conditions, and is available in multiple fill weights for temperature control. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.  

    Episode 121 | What is Thru-hiking & GGG Giveaway

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 37:07


    In episode 121 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about how to plan a short thru-hike. To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.    

    Episode 120 | Using Quilts in Cold Temperatures

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 28:03


    In episode 120 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to continue our study of how to sleep warm in cold temperatures, focusing on the gear that makes up your sleeping system. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here: 

    Episode 119.5 (Bonus) | Trail Days Online! 2025 Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 8:21


    In this episode, we'll introduce you to the Trail Days speakers and give you a sneak peek at their presentation topics and expertise. From ultralight pack design to scrambling techniques, backcountry hygiene to desert travel, there's something for everyone. To view the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here. 

    Podcast 119 | Sleep Warmer: Evening Routines

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 36:13


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about bedtime routines and practices for sleeping warm in the backcountry. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 118 | Traction Spikes

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 52:53


    In episode 118 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about traction systems for snow travel. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Podcast 117 | Snowshoe Sizing | GGG

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 30:39


    In episode 115 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn how to size snowshoes, minimize sinkage, and save energy for your next winter adventure in deep snow. To view the shownotes for this episdoe, click here.  

    Episode 116 | Slope Angles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 21:33


    In this episode you'll learn how to measure and interpret slope angles to help you navigate steep terrain and assess hazards in the backcountry. To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 115 | Tiny Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 34:17


    In episode 115 of the Backpacking Light Podcast we're sharing Big Talk about Tiny Things: Those little ultralight bits of gear that have an outsized impact on our experience in the backcountry. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 114 | Synthetic Fabric Structures

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 25:37


    In episode 114 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about the different types of synthetic fibers and fabrics used in outdoor apparel.  To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 113 | Pad Pumps

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 25:52


    In episode 113 of the Backpacking Light Podcast, we talk about current PAD PUMP trends in the ultralight cottage industry, the challenges faced by small businesses during the holiday season plus a few interesting stocking stuffers. To view the shownotes for this podcast, click here.

    Podcast 112 | The Analog Backcountry Experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 35:37


    In episode 112 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about the analog Backcountry experience and some of the gear that can help feed your need for a digital-free backcountry life. To view the shownotes for this epsiode, click here.

    Episode 111 | Business Lessons for Outdoor Industry Startups

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 41:49


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, Ryan and Lloyd discuss lessons learned from starting a business in the outdoor industry. To view the shownotes, click here.

    Episode 110 | Natural vs Synthetic Fibers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 24:05


    In episode 110 of the Backpacking Light Podcast, we talk about how natural and synthetic fibers influence thermoregulation. To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.  

    natural synthetic fibers
    Episode 109 | How Fishnet Works

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 24:15


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn how fishnet base layers work, we're gonna talk about a bigger battery and why or why it may not be better than two littler batteries, and we'll talk about how the most comprehensive backpacking skills education program that we've ever offered will help you become a backcountry expert. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 108 | EI Coyote Quilts and Photo Satellite Messaging

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 43:59


    On today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, Nikki Stavile interviews Brian Noakes of El Coyote quilts, and we talk about a new satellite messaging device that can now send photos and voice memos. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 107 | Backpack Ventilation with Vaucluse

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 39:47


    In episode 107 of the Backpacking Light Podcast, we are going to learn about backpack ventilation and have a chat about pack design and its impact on thermoregulation with Vaucluse founder Brice Sokolowski. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 106 | Tent Stake Holding Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 55:58


    In episode 106 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about tent stake holding power and have a chat about tent stake design with Suluk 46 founder Steve Evans. To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.  

    Episode 105 | Expedition Kite Skiing Across Greenland with Jesse Crocker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 60:15


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about traveling off-trail responsibly, a rain jacket that defines new standards for durability and performance, and a kite skiing expedition across greenland with Jesse Crocker. To view the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, check out our website.

    Episode 104 | Outdoor Industry Hiring + Bennett Fisher (Jolly Gear)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 93:47


    In Episode 104 of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Ryan and Lloyd interview Jolly Gear founder Bennett Fisher, chat about what is in their day packs, and share their perspectives on recruiting and hiring employees for their companies. To view the shownotes for this episode of the backpackinglight podcast click here.

    Episode 103 | Cottage Industry Trends

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 60:05


    Episode 103 of the Backpacking Light Podcast is a collaboration between Backpacking Light and Garage Grown Gear, home to more than 200 small, startup, and cottage gear brands, and your hub for all things ultralight. Visit them online at garagegrowngear.com. To read the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    Episode 102 | Polartec Alpha Direct

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 26:37


    In episode 102 of the Backpacking Light podcast you're going to learn about the origin, evolution, and use of Polartec Alpha Direct in modern ultralight layering systems. To read the shownotes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 101 | Take Less, Do More, With Glen Van Peski

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2024 68:14


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk to Glen Van Peski about the life lessons we can learn from ultralight backpacking. To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 100 | Celebrating our Listeners and Gear for Hiking in the Sun

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 53:53


    In Episode 100 of the Backpacking Light Podcast we're going to celebrate sunshine and the one hundredth episode of the backpacking light podcast featuring stories from our listeners and more. To view the show notes for this podcast, including a listing of some of our listener's favorite podcasts from the first 100, check out the shownotes.

    Episode 99 | How to Hide Your Food from Bears

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 34:29


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about how bears smell, and what you can do to hide your food from the nose of a bear. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 98 | Canister Stoves in the Winter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 21:49


    In episode 98 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn how to get the most out of your ultralight canister stove for winter backpacking. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 97 | Backpacking with Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2024 67:34


    In episode 97 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn what it's like to hike with your dog in the backcountry. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 96 | Building Resilience for Backcountry Adversity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 37:05


    In episode 96 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn how to build resilience in the backcountry. To view the show notes, click here!

    Episode 95 | Natural Fibers in Outdoor Performance Apparel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2024 81:47


    In episode 95 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about the types of natural fibers that make up the fabrics we use for base layer and insulating apparel.  To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Episode 94 | Backcountry Cooking + SOS Buttons

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 43:45


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk about pressing the SOS button, as well as gear and best practices for backcountry cooking in ultralight style. To read the show notes, click here!

    Episode 93 | Wilderness Emergency Rescue

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 50:03


      In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about wilderness emergency rescue from the very different and unique perspective of an air ambulance service operating in the Canadian Wilderness. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 92 | Tenkara, Ultrarunning, and Performance Minimalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 57:17


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast we're going to talk about a very unique way to enjoy tenkara fly fishing in the backcountry, and the idea of minimalism vs. performance minimalism. Guest: Bryon Powell Our guest this week is Bryon Powell. We don't even know where to start with Bryon, he has been an Unlimited Member in the Backpacking Light Community since - get this - October, 2007 - more than 16 years! He's one of the most inspiring people we've ever had the privilege of interviewing. Bryon's the founding editor of irunfar.com and currently calls Silverton, Colorado, his home. He has a very, very long list of trail running and ultrarunning accolades, and is also a very accomplished backpacking and fastpacking practitioner. But what interests us the most about Bryon is his passion for backcountry fly fishing, and specifically, for tenkara fly fishing, and the extent to which he blends fly fishing and long-distance backcountry travel not only to maximize his enjoyment of vast wilderness landscapes, but his enjoyment of the fisheries that they harbor.

    Episode 91 | Fishnet Mesh Base Layers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 48:43


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk about fishnet base layers. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 90 | Alpaca Wool Baselayers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2023 67:47


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk about four season tents, a new ABC watch that could dethrone the Garmin Fenix, and alpaca wool fabrics used for next-to-skin base layer apparel. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

    Podcast 89 | Fall Layering Systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2023 21:25


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, we are going to talk about fall layering systems. To view the show notes for this episode, visit our website!

    Episode 88 | 2023 Ultralight Gear Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 42:15


    Episode 88 of the Backpacking Light podcast features nine pieces of gear from Ryan's kit that he liked, didn't like, and is sitting on the fence about. To view the shownotes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 87 | Publisher's Gear Guide

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 24:53


    Episode 87 of the Backpacking Light podcast features highlights from our new Publisher's Gear Guide - the gear that I actually own and use on my backcountry adventures. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Podcast 86 | Ultralight Shelter Fabrics Show Notes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 71:41


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk about ultralight fabrics used in backpacking shelters. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 85 | Backcountry Lightning Risk Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 61:54


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk about lightning storm risk management in the backcountry. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 84 | Satellite Messaging (ZOLEO)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 42:53


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, we interview Morris Shawn, President of Roadpost and Zoleo, about satellite messaging and the evolution of the Zoleo Satellite Communicator. To view the shownotes of the podcast, click here.

    Episode 83 | Shelter Condensation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 41:03


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk about managing condensation in shelters. To view the show notes, click here.

    Episode 82 | Fabric Repairs in the Backcountry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 63:27


    This episode features fabric repair kits for hiking and backpacking, including various fabric repair scenarios, strategies, and supplies. Check out the shownotes here.

    Episode 81 | Unresting Event

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2023 41:05


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Ryan interviews Ben Kilbourne about his recent album, Unresting Event, and they discuss creating in the backcountry while sharing two songs from the album. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.  

    Episode 80 | Backcountry First Aid Kits

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 25:51


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Ryan discusses ultralight first aid kits for backcountry use. Check out the program notes here.

    Episode 79 | The 12 Stages of Backcountry Tenkara

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 12:09


    This episode is targeted to the backcountry angler who may be new to tenkara fly fishing, to help them understand (1) how tenkara fishing fits into the overall backcountry experience, and (2) the process of stalking, casting to, and catching fish. To view the show notes for this podcast, clicke here.

    Episode 78 | Stove System Performance (Flame Power vs. Fuel Efficiency)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 16:27


    In this episode, we're going to address stove system performance and specifically, flame power versus fuel efficiency. To view the show notes for this podcast, click here.

    Episode 77 | Planning, Pooping, and Campfires: Backcountry Leave No Trace Challenges During the Winter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2023 33:59


    In this episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to examine some of the principles of Leave No Trace in the context of winter backcountry travel, with a focus on planning, pooping, and campfires. To read the show notes, click here.

    Episode 76 | Vapor Barrier Gloves and Socks

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 42:29


    In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we are going to explore vapor barrier systems for the hands and feet. To view the podcast shownotes, click here.

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